Controversy as Hamburg rips up Hilke and Match IQ contracts

Soccer - 20 Mar 2017

Author: Martin Ross

Hamburg, the top-tier German soccer club, has prematurely terminated the contract of marketing chairman Joachim Hilke and ended its agreement with Match IQ, the agency that organises friendly matches, training camps and exhibition tournaments.

Hilke, the former chief executive of the international unit at the Sportfive agency, stood down from his operational role at the Bundesliga side at the end of last year, but his contract was due to run until 30 June and he wanted to take up a role on 1 April as chief executive of Match IQ.

Hamburg will once again organise its training camps and friendlies itself after ending the contract with Match IQ despite it having 18 months left to run, amid allegations of improper behaviour. Issuing a statement in response, Hilke has vehemently denied that he “indirectly or directly had a stake in Match IQ” or that he “has personally received any advantages from the agency relationship,” while also stressing that he “has always acted in the interests of Hamburg.”

Nicholas MacGowan, Match IQ’s managing director, who worked alongside Hilke at Hamburg, has also gone on the offensive, stating: “I am completely convinced that we are in no way to blame. We are currently legally examining the termination of the Hamburg agreement without notice. One thing is certain – Hamburg earned a lot of money through the work of Match IQ.”

The agency said that its management and shareholders will initiate an investigation into the “rumours and accusations” regarding its work with Hilke.

In his own statement, Hilke claimed that he helped MacGowan find investors for Match IQ.

He also said that he received the offer of the Match IQ managing director position after his “operational retirement” from Hamburg at the end of last year, but that he cannot now make a commitment to the agency “until all the facts are fully cleared up” given the “rumours and to protect my personal and professional reputation.”

Hilke joined Hamburg in 2011, having filled various positions in his 12 years at Sportfive (where MacGowan was also a colleague).

In 2013, Hamburg extended its marketing contract with Sportfive until the end of the 2019-20 season, as the club decided against taking its sponsorship and hospitality rights sales in-house, albeit negotiating a reduction on the commissions paid.